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Vieira completes move to Juventus

Arsenal Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed
for the transfer of Patrick Vieira to Juventus for a total fee of
20 million Euros.

Patrick has also finalised his personal terms and
conditions with Juventus.

The Club would like to take this opportunity to recognise the
enormous contribution Patrick has made to Arsenal since he joined
as Arsène Wenger's first signing in 1996. During his time
at the Club, Patrick made over 400 first team appearances, with
three years as Captain and was instrumental in the Club winning
three Premiership titles and the FA Cup on four occasions.

Also during his time at Arsenal, Patrick enjoyed great success
with the French national team, by winning the World Cup in 1998 and
the European Championships in 2000. He also became the Captain of
France and made a total of 79 caps for France as an Arsenal
player.

Everyone at Arsenal Football Club wish Patrick the best of luck
for the future.

Speaking to Arsenal.com, Manager Arsène Wenger said:
"I share the sadness with our supporters that Patrick has left
us, but on the other hand I would say to them trust us and support
us. We'll be strong next season and we need you behind us like
you have always been. We will not disappoint you.

"Patrick was a great player for us, one of the greatest in
the Club's history and I feel I had a special relationship with
him because I made him come here. I think his impact, not only at
Arsenal but in English football overall was just tremendous.

"The sad thing is that he leaves us, but the good thing is
that he leaves us on a high. His last kick for the Club was
symbolic as it won us the FA Cup.

"Patrick will always be special for Arsenal Football Club,
always in our hearts and our minds. All I can do is thank him for
all he gave to the Club and wish him well in his career."

Patrick Vieira added: "When you spend nine years at the
Club, like I did, it is a difficult decision to leave. But in the
end you have to make a choice for your future. It was a very
difficult decision, but I am happy with it.

"I made the decision to leave because I felt it was time
for me to have a new challenge. But that does not mean I was
unhappy or that I was having a problem at Arsenal.

"It was just that I had the feeling I needed to grow and
meet a new challenge, and I feel Juventus was the best challenge
for me.

"I'd like to thank the Arsenal fans. They have been
fabulous. Even recently in the street they were saying 'if you
are going, then thanks for the last nine years'. That is really
touching and it makes me feel that I gave my best for the Club.

"I can go with my head held high. I did my best every day
in training and in every match, and I left shaking the hand of
Arsène Wenger and Mr Dein. That was really important to
me."

Copyright 2015 The Arsenal Football Club plc. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source14 Jul 2005

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